Following the Budget, the government discreetly approved a scheme that would reduce Jobseeker’s Benefit by €90 for unemployed persons who refuse to use social assistance employment services, reports Sunday World.
One of Heather Humphreys’ final decisions as Social Protection Minister was to raise the penalties for jobless individuals receiving jobseeker benefits who do not interact with her department.
Ms. Humphreys upped the penalty to €90 in the Social assistance Bill, which went through the Dáil undetected, from the previous decrease of €44 for those who do not use social assistance services twice.
Today, the Seanad will discuss the measure, reports Sunday World.
During budget talks, Ms Humphreys, who abruptly decided to withdraw from the general election last Saturday, fought with Fianna Fáil and the Green Party over a plan to raise the state pension by €15 per week while maintaining the jobseeker rate.
Green Party leader Roderic O’Gorman and Fianna Fáil leader and Tánaiste Micheál Martin opposed the idea, insisting that all welfare payments, including Jobseeker’s Allowance, be raised by €12 per week, reports Sunday World.
In the Social Welfare Bill, which was approved by coalition TDs in the Dáil, Ms. Humphreys proposed the major shift in welfare policy.
The bill is an important item of law, as is the Finance Bill.
Payments have been reduced by €44 per week since 2011 for those who refused to interact with department representatives or return-to-work programs, reports Sunday World.
A person receives their full jobseeker payment back if they re-engage with welfare services.
Under the new law, this will still be the case, but if a jobseeker who receives €232 per week doesn’t interact with the Department of Social Protection, they may only get €142 per week, reports Sunday World.
Tell us your thoughts in the Facebook post and share this with your friends.
